"Hands Masseuse offers a two-pitch trad climb blending crack climbing with offwidth techniques on Lake Tahoe’s Main Wall. Expect grainy granite, technical hand jams, and a mix of chimney moves that test your rack and resolve."
Hands Masseuse on the Main Wall at The Pie Shop in Lake Tahoe stands out as a bold two-pitch adventure for traditional climbers who appreciate both technical face climbing and the challenge of offwidth chimneys. The climb begins with a gritty right-hand crack where a single bolt guards a few tricky face moves before spilling into a chimney/offwidth that tests your hand jams and body positioning. The grainy rock demands precise footwork and calm focus, rewarding those willing to engage with the route’s unique texture and flow. After reaching the first belay, many climbers choose to rap off here, but for those hungry for more, a rarely repeated second pitch continues upward, veering right into a chimney system before branching left onto a face slab that leads all the way to the summit.
Situated just to the left of the True Grip cracks and down from the prominent Pie Face, Hands Masseuse offers a refreshing alternative line on this popular granite wall. The rock quality, while sometimes grainy, remains solid and textured enough to maintain confident gear placements up to 4 inches. This mix of fingers-to-hands crack climbing merging into offwidth techniques makes this route an excellent test for climbers transitioning into wider crack styles. The length, roughly 275 feet, stretches out comfortably over the two pitches, giving climbers breathing room to manage gear and enjoy the impressive high-elevation surroundings that Lake Tahoe offers.
The approach to The Pie Shop is a straightforward, well-used path, keeping the focus on the climb rather than the trek in. Mid-summer mornings are perfect for this route—the wall catches the sun early but remains shielded from afternoon heat, making the rock feel alive under your fingertips. Remember to pack extra water and sturdy shoes with sticky rubber to handle the variable texture of the granite. Protection relies on solid traditional gear placements; bring a full rack with cams up to 4 inches to confidently cover the cracks and chimney sections. The descent options include a rappel or a technical downclimb off the back side, requiring attentiveness and careful foot placement.
Hands Masseuse captures the spirit of Lake Tahoe climbing: a blend of technical skill, mental game, and the invigorating mountain environment. It’s not the easiest 5.8 out there, given the grainy rock and offwidth chimney demands, but for those prepared, it offers an engaging, satisfying day on the wall—far from the crowds clustered on easier sport routes nearby. Whether drawn by the crack systems or the quiet of the south shore’s granite cliffs, climbers will find a rewarding challenge marked by practical beta and tangible adventure.
The rock’s grainy texture can make foot placements tricky; watch for loose flakes around the chimney sections. The rappel station is commonly used, but the alternate downclimb involves exposure and loose rock—choose route options carefully and always double-check anchors.
Start early to avoid afternoon sun and warmer rock temperatures.
Wear shoes with sticky rubber for better grip on grainy granite.
Prepare for offwidth chimney moves by practicing hand jamming and body positioning.
Carefully evaluate your rappel or downclimb route from the top before descending.
Bring a full trad rack with cams up to 4 inches to protect the cracks and chimney sections. A bolt protects the initial face moves, but solid traditional placements are crucial for safe climbing throughout the route.
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